Chapter Ten: Making Shoes

After Tie Zhu returned, he hurried straight home, and soon a roar echoed from inside.

“Where the hell have you been? Do you want your brothers and sisters to freeze to death? Do I have to get up and heat the kang for them?”

“Speak up! Are you mute or what?”

The sound of whipping followed.

Upon hearing this, Wang Lin shrank back and began to put away the items they had just bought.

Zhang Huacheng lingered in the courtyard for a long while before entering the house. Tie Zhu was truly unlucky to have such a cruel father; he needed to figure out a way to help him.

“Why did you buy so much cornmeal and dried sweet potatoes?” Wang Lin couldn’t help but ask, eyeing the mostly food items.

“We’ll divide the cornmeal and dried sweet potatoes later; keep the rest. The fish and crab business won’t last long, so better save up some grain.”

Zhang Huacheng knew Tie Zhu would sooner or later be targeted, and then the fish and crab trade would be impossible to maintain.

“Mm.”

Wang Lin nodded quietly. “There’s enough food already. Maybe don’t take risks anymore.”

She truly worried about being discovered; that would cause trouble.

“It’s fine, don’t worry.”

But how could it be fine? The harsh winter was just beginning.

Zhang Huacheng looked at Dou Dou sitting on the kang, happily munching on a steamed bun while occasionally peeking at the other buns in the big bowl.

This sight made him laugh softly.

Children in this era were simple—having food was enough.

“I’ll go deliver some cloth and cotton shoes to our old home at noon. Let Mom and the eldest sister-in-law make a few pairs of shoes for the kids, and also make a set of cotton clothes and pants for Dou Dou.”

Zhang Huacheng measured Dou Dou’s small feet.

With cotton shoes and new clothes, Dou Dou could go outside during the cold winter, instead of hiding indoors and on the kang all season.

“Mm!”

Wang Lin happily nodded at the idea; she also wanted to get cotton shoes for Dou Dou so he wouldn’t have to stay on the kang every day.

Then she asked, “Aren’t you going to get a pair for yourself?”

Zhang Huacheng glanced at his own shoes, then at Wang Lin’s, and indeed, neither had proper cotton shoes.

That morning, Zhang Huacheng headed to his old home.

In the biting cold winter, everyone stayed indoors except for Dabao and Xiaobao, two lively kids who ran around everywhere. Seeing Zhang Huacheng arrive, they each ran up enthusiastically.

Zhang Huacheng took out two pieces of candy and gave them to the kids, who squealed with delight.

“Why did your brother come again?”

Chen Xiuying was mending clothes and stood up upon hearing the commotion to look outside.

Zhang Huchen, who had been dazing on the kang, quickly got up.

“Erguo!!!”

The youngest sister rushed out happily, not even putting on her shoes before throwing herself into Zhang Huacheng’s arms.

Zhang Huacheng lifted her up and, seeing Hua Ling chasing after them, handed over a cloth bag with a smile.

“Here you go!”

***

“Second brother, what’s this?” Hua Ling called out excitedly, then whispered cautiously, afraid her eldest sister-in-law would overhear.

“Cotton and cloth.”

“Ah!”

Surprised, Hua Ling hurried inside with the bag.

“You’re here, come in, it’s cold outside.”

Zhang Huchen came out and waved.

“Mm, I brought some cloth and cotton, plus leather soles. Let’s have sister-in-law and Mom make a pair of cotton shoes for each kid.”

Zhang Huacheng entered the house.

Hearing they were making shoes, sister-in-law couldn’t help but join in.

Soon the house became lively, with several children gathered around watching, and everyone touching the cloth and discussing the shoe-making.

“One pair for Dabao and Xiaobao, one pair for the little sister, one for Dou Dou, and make another pair according to the little sister’s size. Then see if the remaining cloth can be used to make cotton pants and clothes for Dou Dou.”

Zhang Huacheng knew there was more than enough cloth; the leftover would be sufficient for another set of children’s cotton clothes and pants.

“That’s enough. With the rest, we can make a pair for Hua Ling too. She’s getting married after the New Year and should have new cotton shoes.”

Sister-in-law measured and nodded quickly.

She was happy that Dabao and Xiaobao would have cotton shoes.

Zhang Huacheng hadn’t expected sister-in-law to think of Hua Ling, but her words made him uncomfortable. He recalled that scoundrel; soon the news of him becoming a widower would be out. He had to break off Hua Ling’s engagement!

This match had been arranged by sister-in-law, who meant well, so he had nothing to say.

“I don’t need any; I have some,” Hua Ling said quickly, shaking her head, but her patched-up cotton shoes made her blush as she pulled them back.

“Then we’ll make a pair for Hua Ling.”

Zhang Huacheng said, “I have to go back now. I’ll take the little one home to play with Dou Dou and bring her back before nightfall.”

“Bring her back early. Don’t go out after dark; there are wolf howls in the mountains at night now,” the old father called from the bed.

His health was poor, especially in winter; he hid under the covers to feel better.

“I know. I’ll be back before dark.”

Zhang Huacheng carried the little sister home.

She was overjoyed, chattering all the way. She knew there was good food at second brother’s house and had boasted about it all night after returning.

“Is second brother acting a little strange?” Hua Ling watched the departing figure, feeling he was different from before.

“My brain’s such a mess, I forgot to ask where the cloth and cotton came from,” Mom slapped her thigh.

Cloth and cotton were rare commodities.

At noon, Zhang Huacheng cooked a pot of cabbage with tofu and vermicelli and stir-fried some spicy pork. The fragrant aroma filled the home, making the two little ones, Xiaoya and Dou Dou, drool constantly.

“You and the kids eat first; I’ll go call Tie Zhu.”

***

After setting the dishes on the table, Zhang Huacheng went to summon Tie Zhu.

Chen Youde and Sun Li were pacing in the yard. The spicy pork’s strong aroma made them both crave it desperately, and the scent of cabbage and tofu made it seem even more like a lavish New Year meal.

“Why don’t you go check?” Chen Youde suggested to Sun Li.

“Why should I go? What’s going on that I should go see? Eating meat every day must mean poaching. Go report now; they’ll definitely catch them! Maybe their family has a lot of meat!” Sun Li’s mouth watered as their two children cried out for meat.

“Yes, it’s poaching!” Chen Youde sighed. “I reported last night, but the captain didn’t care. They didn’t believe me.”

“But you still have to report it. Where else would the meat come from? Does their family have money to buy it? We can’t even get a meat ration ticket, how could they?”

Meat ration tickets were scarce, especially in the countryside. Even getting one in the county was difficult; ordinary families rarely had meat.

In contrast, rural production teams were somewhat better off, killing pigs for the New Year and sharing meat so every household had some.

Chen Youde was reluctant to go; he’d been scolded for reporting last night. Going again now…

“Are you going or not?”

Sun Li glared.

“I’ll go! I will!”

Chen Youde clicked his tongue. “You know I ate a lot at noon, but I still have no strength. Honey, maybe I should get some meat to replenish myself. It’s no good having no fat in the belly.”

“If you can, then go get some!”

“Alright, I’m going!”

Chen Youde stormed out.

Sun Li muttered something and turned back inside to tend to the children.

Zhang Huacheng tossed two small stones at Tie Zhu’s door. Soon Tie Zhu came out, knowing it was time to eat after receiving the signal, lingering in the yard before stepping out.

“Help yourself to the pancakes.”

Zhang Huacheng served Tie Zhu a bowl of tofu stewed with cabbage and added some spicy pork on top.

Tie Zhu lowered his head and began eating.

“Go home and rest for now. Come back for dinner tonight, then come with me to collect some goods.”

“Mm.”

“Xiaoya, don’t just pick out the meat from the dishes when you eat. Wrap the spicy peppers in the pancakes—it tastes good that way.”

Zhang Huacheng tapped Xiaoya’s hand with his chopsticks, trying to break the bad habit.

“Okay!”

Xiaoya obediently responded.